Snake Handling Question/Comment

[X-Factor]

The local herp guy at the pet store that I've mentioned before handles his snakes very roughly, something I have not seen before (and certainly dont do). I asked him the other day to see his young Guyana RTB (about 2'), he pulls the cage out, opens the top, and without so much as stroking it (it was balled up in the corner), just grabs it up out of the cage and starts pulling it out, making it move around. Is this ok behavior? The Guyana was not nippy or aggressive at all, very pleasant and curious when I held it. What's the deal with this? Am I just overly cautious/too nice? I understand he has a business to run, but what about the snake's sensibilities?

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[Slithers]

I think I can remember having a similar reaction when I started out.
I think its normal (assuming he wasnt violent). Some people are just nicer than others, I guess.

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[X-Factor]

Not violent per se, just too rough in my opinion. Unless its a matter of safety I will never handle my snake/s in that manner, just seems unnecessary.

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[Ophiophilia]

I remember a while ago at the reptile shop where I got my BP. The breeder handled the snakes the same.

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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[hunters327]

I hav seen this at my local petshop as well. I Went to have my bci sexed and when I opened the lid the shop owner shot in with his hand and grabbed her just behind tha head. I of course did not like it and started to express my thoughts. He explained to me that he handles so many snakes and he has no ideas which ones will or will not bite. So he treat all snakes as if they are going to bite. That way he is never wrong about the ones that will hurt.
I guess it makes sense.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

[JuliusSqueezer]

"stroking" a snake before getting it out is more stressful than just getting them out and actually a pretty good way to get tagged. They don't understand "petting". They do however understand this fingery thing coming at them, touching them, pulling back, touching them again, pulling back again...this behaviour strongly resembles the way many predators attack them in the wild. Think of a cat batting something around a bit before latching on.

Someone that grabs every snake behind the head shouldn't be keeping snakes though. That's all I have to say about that guy.

As far as just reaching in and plucking them out of the cage in one swift swoop. I believe that to be absolutely the least stressful way to take a snake out of a cage.

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[deadliestformula]

I have seen some very bad handling at pet stores. I have seen a man 'smack' a 12 ft burm in the face before pulling him out. And our little albino burm had bright reddish purple marks on her that the vet said were bruises from being squeezed too tightly when handled.

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[Pete J]

I quickly scoop my snakes out but i feel like i am gentle with their bodies...

i have had similar reactions with other peoples handling. usually at reptile shows some guys just handle the snakes like a second hand scarf.

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[Stargazer]

The guys at the reptile store are also pretty rough handling them. I prefer to be gentler with my snakes. But since I have gotten to know their personalities, I have found the little BCI does not need such gentle handling like the BCC.

	Boa Constrictor Constrictor Red Tail Boa Constrictor (Boa constictor constrictor). Refers to "true" red tail boas such as the Guyana and Suriname locales.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

[Stargazer]

What is all that wierd code that keeps coming up in the posts?

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[X-Factor]

Julius:
I hadnt thought about it that way...I must agree. That said, i STILL think he was too rough AFTER the fact.

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[MegF]

I have found that going into the cage and firmly grasping the snake's body and removing it is the easiest way to take them out without alarming them or getting bitten. Tentative movements tend to provoke strikes. I do tailor it a bit to the species. The Amazon tends to strike if you move too quickly so my movements are slower and more subtle around him. I tend to slide my hand under his body and let him know I'm going to pick him up. The cornsnakes, I just pick up and take out. The green tree pythons are the same. If they don't have removable perches, I have a technique to remove them off the branch without injuring their tails or spine. Otherwise, you have to tickle them off the perch.

[X-Factor]

I still use the tickle approach with my BP, and I think it works, she has never struck me or attempted to.

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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